HURON — The Huron Regional Medical Center (HRMC) Auxiliary hosted its annual luncheon Oct. 14 in the HRMC Legacy Plaza Auditorium.

HRMC President and CEO, Erick Larson, opened the luncheon with a hospital update and thanked the volunteers for sharing their time and talent at HRMC.

Bob Eickhoff, HRMC Auxiliary president, announced Alison Dennis as the 2024 Volunteer of the Year.

Dennis began volunteering in February of 2016 and has since contributed more than 1,170 hours of her time to greeting patients and visitors at the main hospital information desk on Friday mornings.

As a nurse for nearly 50 years, Dennis has a strong commitment to the health of the community.

She was born in the Sprague Hospital in 1938, graduated from Huron High School in 1956 and earned her nursing degree from St. Johns School of Nursing in 1959. She spent three years at the Delaney Clinic in Mitchell and returned to Huron for the remaining 47 years at Tschetter & Hohm Clinic, starting off as Dr. Ted Hohm’s nurse and eventually working in X-ray at the clinic.

Dennis lived with her husband, Dean, on a farm east of Huron for nearly 40 years. After her husband’s passing in 2012, she moved to Huron. Dennis has two sons, Darrin and wife, Brenda, who live in Castalia, Iowa, and Kent, who lives in New Rockford, N.D.

Since retirement, Dennis has enjoyed serving others and staying active.

“When I moved to town from the farm, I decided to get involved and give back,” said Dennis. “Volunteering has kept me busy, and I enjoy interacting with people.”

In addition to volunteering at HRMC, she gives of her time at the Huron Area Senior Center, Helping Hands Thrift Store and Country Neighbors Extension Club, serving as their membership chair and former area director. She is active in the VFW Auxiliary and Huron Bird Club. Dennis enjoys gardening, feeding the birds, attending social events and is playing Wist and Spades in local card clubs.

Following the award presentation and a meal, Jordan Finck, DPM, surgical podiatrist, spoke to the volunteer group about his new practice at HRMC, consisting of foot and ankle injuries, arthritis and nerve problems of the foot and ankle, toe and toenail issues, diabetic foot care and more.

Updates were provided by HRMC Auxiliary board members, Judy Tschetter, Bonnie Sheridan and Bob Eickhoff. Auxiliary volunteers achieving service milestones were recognized with a commemorative pin.

New Members — Barb Moser, Cheryl Moody, Jennifer Mitch, Judy Finstad, Linda Thelen, Rosalie Pownell, Ruth Eichstadt and Sidney Tompkins.

100 Hours — Barrie Held, Brenda Christiansen, Dianne Gropper and Gloria Schneider.

500 Hours — Leanne Voorhees, Pat Meink and Pat Pomerico.

1000 Hours — Alison Dennis, Bonnie Sheridan, Lavonne Wipf, Linnet Perryman, Marilyn Hofer, Rella Quam and Shirley Duxbury.

1500 Hours — Bob Eickhoff and Donna Schroeder.

2500 Hours — Betty Albright, Diane Wipf and Jean Hart.

3000 Hours — Judy Tschetter.

The Auxiliary is always seeking additional volunteers to provide a friendly welcome to the hospital and provide assistance in hospital lounges, assisting visitors at the information desks and delivering floral arrangements and newspapers to patients.

The Auxiliary volunteers also manage and staff the hospital gift shops located in the main hospital and Central Tower lobbies, which support scholarships and other charitable projects.

If you’re interested in learning more about becoming a volunteer, contact membership representative, Bonnie Sheridan at 605-354-1233.